Michael Cole welcomes WWE legend back to SmackDown after 7.5 year absence

Michael Cole welcomed a WWE legend back to SmackDown after a prolonged absence of nearly seven and a half years. It was a welcome addition to the blue brand as it changed to a three-hour format.

That name is none other than the legendary Lilian Garcia. After Samantha Irvin announced her shocking exit from WWE, the legend Lilian Garcia was brought back to RAW. We’ve seen Garcia on RAW numerous times throughout the years since her retirement, but she was overwhelmed at the positive response when her full-time return was announced.

2025 marked a major shift for both RAW and SmackDown as the blue brand began its three-hour run on January 3 while the historic Netflix deal begins for RAW on January 6. Michael Cole welcomed Lilian Garcia back after a prolonged seven-and-a-half-year absence from SmackDown. The last time she was on the blue brand was on July 4, 2017.

Since her last appearance on the blue brand, her sporadic appearances have been exclusive to Monday Night RAW. Either way, Alicia Taylor will be going the other way as she will now be an announcer on RAW.

This was first reported by PWInsider. Either way, it’s not known how long Lilian Garcia will be around for.

Just like Michael Cole, fans will be happy to have Garcia back on SmackDown, or just back in WWE in general.